Analysis of source selection methods and performance outcomes: lowest price technically acceptable vs. tradeoff in air force acquisitions
Loading...
Authors
Ban, Rebecca W.
Barnes, Brett O.
Comer, Matthew B.
Subjects
LPTA
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable
tradeoff
best value
source selection
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable
tradeoff
best value
source selection
Advisors
Landale, Karen A.F.
Rendon, Rene G.
Date of Issue
2015-12
Date
Dec-15
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
As part of procurement planning, government acquisition teams must select a method by which proposals will be evaluated. The two most common methodologies are lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) and tradeoff. There is a commonly held anecdotal belief that an LPTA approach results in a shorter procurement administration lead time (PALT) but also tends to provide the government with an inferior product or level of service. Conversely, it is believed that a tradeoff approach will yield a better outcome but will also have a longer PALT and demand additional resources. The objective of this research is to analyze whether a relationship exists between source selection methods (LPTA or tradeoff) and the level of resulting contract performance outcomes. Performance outcomes include Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) ratings, Earned Value Management (EVM) outcomes, and PALT. Multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA and ANCOVA) techniques were used to determine whether there are differences in resulting performance outcomes based on source selection methodology. Findings indicate that a tradeoff approach may result in more positive performance outcomes. There is also evidence that suggests that PALT is not significantly affected by the methodology.
Type
Thesis
Description
MBA Professional Report
Series/Report No
Department
Graduate School of Business and Public Policy (GSBPP)
Graduate School of Business and Public Policy (GSBPP)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.